The 71st National Film Awards have been announced, and Karan Johar's "Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani," starring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt, has won the award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. The film also won Best Choreography for the song "Dhindhora Baje Re," with Vaibhavi Merchant receiving the award.

Ranveer Singh is yet to release an official statement regarding the National Award win. However, the actor has previously spoken about the film's positive reception. He shared that Ranbir Kapoor appreciated his role in the movie, noting that there was no similarity to his previous portrayals of Delhi guys.

Karan Johar, on the other hand, has expressed his joy and gratitude. He stated he was ecstatic and overwhelmed by the honor, considering the film exceptionally close to his heart. He also thanked the jury and acknowledged the immense love the film continues to receive. In an Instagram post, Johar mentioned that it feels surreal to receive so much love for a film they poured their hearts into. He also expressed gratitude that audiences worldwide deeply resonated with the story, music, characters, and dance. He extended his love and hugs to Vaibhavi Merchant and her team for the Best Choreography award.

"Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani," released on July 28, 2023, marked Karan Johar's return to feature film direction after "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" (2016). The film features veteran actors Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan, and Shabana Azmi, along with Tota Roy Chowdhury, Churni Ganguly, Aamir Bashir, and Kshitee Jog. The movie revolves around a couple with contrasting personalities who decide to live with each other's families for three months before marriage.

The film has received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. Several critics and publications included "Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani" in their year-end best film lists. The performances of Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt also received widespread recognition. The music, composed by Pritam, also contributed to the film's success. The film was a commercial success, becoming the tenth highest-grossing Indian film of 2023 and the seventh highest-grossing Hindi film of the year.

This is Karan Johar's third consecutive win at the National Film Awards. He previously won the Special Jury Award for "Shershaah" (2021) and the Best Film award for "Brahmastra Part One - Shiva" (2022). Overall, this is his fourth National Award, with the first being for "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" (1998).

"Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani" also received four awards at the 69th Filmfare Awards, including Best Actress for Alia Bhatt, Best Supporting Actress for Shabana Azmi, Best Dialogue, and Best Costume Design.